Why did Jack Maynard leave I’m A Celebrity and what messages and tweets led to his exit from the jungle?

The YouTube star left the ITV show after it emerged he had begged a 14-year-old girl to send him nude pictures

By Cyrus Engineer

6th December 2017,8:03 am

Updated: 6th December 2017,8:04 am

JACK Maynard left I’m A Celebrity 2017 just three days into the show’s run.

The YouTube star was rocked by headlines that he had posted racist and homophobic slurs before he joined the show – and even more damaging revelations then emerged. Here’s what sparked Jack’s shock exit…

Why did Jack Maynard leave I’m A Celebrity 2017?

On Tuesday, November 21, Ant and Dec shocked viewers by saying Jack had left the show at the start of that night’s show.

As the pair made the announcement, a spokesperson for the YouTube star released a statement confirming the 23-year-old was leaving the jungle.

It said: “In the last few days Jack has been the subject of a succession of media stories which, given his position as a contestant on ‘I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here’ – filmed in the Australian jungle, with no contact with the outside world, he has been unable to respond to.

“Since it is only fair that everyone should be aware of any allegations made against them and should also have the right to defend themselves, it was agreed that it would be better to bring him out of the show.”

It then emerged that as well as racist and homophobic tweets Jack had sent he had also begged a 14-year-old fan to send him nude pictures.

According to the Mirror, the YouTube sensation, 23, told her that her “boobs are so nice” and “would look good in a bra shot” but later branded her a “bore” and “ugly freak”, when she refused to share pictures.

The messages were reportedly sent from Jack’s Facebook account – which has since been taken down – in December 2011, when he was 17.

Speaking about the incident, the girl, now 20, said: “He was 16, I was 14. It was something that happens to everyone.

“I never once felt harassed. We were kids, it’s not once harmed me at all in any way. It’s in the past. It is a serious allegation to make, but you’re a kid, you make mistakes.

“He didn’t know how old I was, and I didn’t know how old he was at the time. I cannot stress enough that the messages were harmless.”

The Sun also uncovered that Jack once made a creepy YouTube video where he and his brother guessed the age of teenage girls.

How has Jack responded since he left the jungle?

Following a number of damaging stories in the press, Jack broke his silence on the scandal by releasing an emotional YouTube video.

Speaking on his 23rd birthday he said: “I’m sorry to anyone that I upset, anyone that I offended, anyone I made feel uncomfortable.

“Growing up I was all over social, my entire life was on social media an through that it led to be my job.

“I’ve tweeted some bad things, some horrible things, that I’m just ashamed of.

“I never wanted to make anything like this, I feel like I’ve let you guys down so much, I was young, I was stupid, I was careless I just wasn’t thinking.”

In an emotional exclusive interview with The Sun’s Bizarre column, Jack revealed his shame over his behaviour, branding himself an “idiot”.

He said: “There’s absolutely no excuse for what I said. I don’t know what I was thinking in ever posting anything like that online.

“I am truly, truly, truly sorry about all of the past comments I made.

“They’re totally unacceptable and I’m praying that people learn from this and don’t make the same mistakes that I did — really think about what you’re going to do and how many people it could hurt.”

Jack insisted he is “certainly not homophobic”, explaining: “I’m straight but don’t have a problem with anyone.

“I don’t have a problem with any sexuality whatsoever. I’ve got lots of gay friends and absolutely love them.”

He also spoke of his regret after using the N-word: “I wish I had taken a step back and thought about the history of that word and how much hurt it has brought to so many people.

“I certainly wouldn’t have done it. It’s just such a shame through pop culture that the word has become too familiar through songs, which by no means makes it acceptable to say, which I’ve definitely learnt.”